August 13th - 24th, 2026

ITaly & germany

some ideas and thoughts

Based off of my research, you’re correct- Traveling into Munich and out of Rome is the cheaper route and makes the most sense. That route is about $1,200 per person with one checked piece of luggage and the option to select your seat in the main cabin.
To Rome and home from Munich would be round $1,400-$1,500 per person.
To Frankfurt and home from Rome would be $1,100, so the savings isn’’t enough to warrant flying there and taking the train to Munich.

For free I can book all of the accommodations and excursions! What would cost more would be for me to book your train tickets, make dinner reservations, create custom guided or self guided tours, book airfare, or plan your time day to day in detail. I did however spend a bit of extra time drafting this because it’s your first trip to Europe and I want you guys to have an amazing experience. I don’t always have the time but when I do I’m more than happy to help.

Next steps; let me know what you’re interested in doing in each city and I can recommend the number of days in each city you would need to do those things. Once you feel comfortable with that, I will look into accommodations for those dates. The dates impact the cost so I would be remiss giving you numbers upfront. What I’ll do is provide you with 3-4 option in each city that best fit your budget while focusing on making sure you’re in the right location. And safety/cleanliness!

If there’s anything you’re interested in that you don’t see here let me know! I can get pricing

munich

The number of days spent in Munich will depend on what time your flight would arrive and what you would like to do there. Here’s what I can personally vouch for:

  • A full day tour to Neuschwanstien Castle. Many of the tours include Linderhof Palace as well but I haven’t been. Neuschwanstien Castle is absolutely beautiful and so is the area it’s in. You travel through the Black Forest to the base of the Alps where it’s perched on a steep hill/mountain that’s dwarfed by the Alps. Tours take you in a bus and it’s an easy day. Alternatively you can rent a car to skip the Palace or have the freedom to stop along the way. If you have a car you can take the Tegelberg Cable Car up to the peak of one of the mountains for a view of the Alps and the forests below. I’ve never done it but they also have a toboggan ride that looks fun. The tour may or may not include it but they have horse drawn carriages up to the castle too.
    The tours are about 10 hr 30 min and range in price from $135 - $235 per person. Car rentals are $250 or less and tickets to the castle are $25 per person.

  • The old district of Munich is very walkable and cute. You could spend the whole day visiting the outdoor market where they sell locally sourced food and hand crafted items. They have a Maypole that they still use during festivals in the middle of the Viktualienmarkt area. The old churches are free to enter and there are lots of shade trees and park benches to take rests. There are restaurants I can recommend as well. While in old town you have to see Rathaus-Glockenspiel, it’s really cool and people gather around to watch the cuckoo clock figures do their thing a few times a day. (11am, noon and 5pm). You may find live music outside that time of year. I was there in the shoulder season and saw three live performances on the street …one of them was even good! lol This would be free

Here’s what also looks interesting for you guys:

  • You can take the train to Dachau Concentration Camp for a tour (5hrs, $60 per person)

  • You can take a Third Reich, WWII, walking tour (2hr 30min, $45 per person)

  • An electric bike tour, might help you explore and beat the heat (4 hour, $72 per person)

munich to venice

The train would take 7 hours without stops and would cost about $150 per person.

Flights are 1 hour non stop and cost about $225 per person

venice

The number of days spent here also depends on what you would like to do but I recommend two days. Venice is surprisingly walkable and small.

  • My first tip on what to do with your time here is to consider planning nothing at all for one day (or half days with a tour in the morning while it’s a bit cooler and then slow wandering in the afternoons). Walk the streets, get lost and rest at little cafes.

  • A gondola ride is a relaxing way to see the city from the water and it’s so much fun. It’s more expensive than you would think but it’s worth it to even add the extra to take the smaller canal routes as well as some of the main waterways. This is something you can do folded in to one of the tours or just on your own. It should be about $100-$115 for about 30 minutes during the day and $115-$130 in the evening (after 7pm)

  • Visit Murano & Burano Islands. They’re famous for making lace and glassblowing and the building are bright pops of color along the water. You can see all the goods for sale and you’ll take private water taxis across the lagoon to see them. A tour is about 5 hours long and $60 per person)

  • There’s a tour that takes you to Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Doges Palace with a guide and it includes a gondola ride. You would be sharing the gondola with three more people and a couple of reviews say that it was 20 minutes (3hr 30min and $125 per person) These are things that can be done without a tour though if you would prefer and it would be cheaper. You would just need to look up the information you were interested in about the sites.

  • If you want to do the gondola ride privately but you’re still interested in taking a tour of Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Doges Palace with a guide it’s 2hrs and 30min, $90 per person

  • They have a tradition in Venice to gather at little cafes and share cicchetti. They’re small, affordable appetizers normally paired with wine but they have other things. It’s pronounced (pronounced chee-KET-eeh). The little local bars are called bàcari. A drink enjoyed with these Venetian style tapas is known as an ombra. Food tours will stop at these places but you can also find them on your own and should ask a local for a recommendation. The food they prep changes with the season etc so there are no menus

I haven’t done these but they would be fun:

  • Take a cooking class for about $105-$150 per person. There are lots of different options here!

  • Take a food tasting tour. About 3 hours, about $110 per person

  • Take a mask making workshop. About 1 hour, $72 per person. It’s a centuries old tradition originating in the 13th century. They’re handmade and they used to be worn to hide ones identity so the rich could anonymously get up to no good. Some of them are gorgeous and you’ll see little mask shops while walking around.

venice to florence

The train would take 7 hours without stops and would cost about $150 per person.

Flights are 3 hours 20 min with one stop and cost about $165 per person. Often that doesn’t include luggage or seat selection but it depends on the airline you select.

florence

This is such a beautiful city. You can’t go wrong picking something to do! Here are the options I can personal recommend:

  • You can’t miss seeing the duomo in Florence…I mean, you can, but it’s amazing. Ticket’s vary in price and can be hard to get during peak season if you need a specific time but it’s still very doable on your own. You can get tickets through them directly or select one of the tours I list below that come with a guide. If you go on your own do not wait to get the tickets. Buy them in advance and don’t try and get the in person on the day of; you won’t get in. The lines are wild to get in! If you guys like steak this Tuscan region is famous for the beef and grilling. I recommend Trattoria dall’Oste. They are right near the duomo too so you could visit the sites and then get a nice lunch during the hottest part of the day to rest.

  • You can take a tour and let a guide walk you through all of the history and worry about the purchase of the tickets and timed entries. A tour is 3 hours 30 minutes, $135 per person. This way you wouldn’t be in lines or have to find entrances or anything. This price includes the climb up to the top of the dome for the experience and the view. It’s pretty cool. Without the dome climb it would be $45 per person and 1.5 hours - 2 hours and you don’t wait in any lines

  • Visit Michelangelo's 'David' in the Accademia Gallery. The tickets can be bought directly through their website and you can get them with an audio guide. I don’t recommend a tour for this. There’s just no need. I de recommend going while it’s hot out so you have AC and can cool off for a while. You can take your time and explore.

  • If you like museums and art, a better gallery to me was the Uffizi. It’s incredible! Thise tickets I can get for you for $42 per person with an audio guide.

  • Take a taxi up to Piazzale Michelangelo for the view. You can see all of Florence and it’s beautiful. If you time it for sunset it’s perfect

  • Super fun are the Vespa Tours! You ride your own through the Tuscan hillside and there’s one that includes lunch. I highly recommend this for you guys so you’re seeing the countryside and not just the cities. The tour takes you into the little ancient towns too. Beautiful and full of history and charm. You could ride together or separately. It’s 6 hours and $160 per person. There are several options at varying prices but this is a good example

  • If you would prefer they have a vintage Fiat self drive tour too! Also very fun. I didn't the Vespa but honestly these were really neat too. It’s 6 hours $160 per person with lunch as well

Things I haven’t done but look amazing:

  • Take a hot air balloon ride over the countryside! I’ve done this in other countries and have no regrets. It’s very pretty and not as scary as you would think. It’s $330 per person though.

  • Take a cooking class in the afternoon to get out of the heat and do something fun. There are too many to list honestly. If you’re interested I will provide options

florence to rome

The train would take 3 hours without stops and would cost about $30 per person. I recommend this option

Flights are 1 hour and cost about $165 per person. Often that doesn’t include luggage or seat selection but it depends on the airline you select.

florence to rome

Rome has so many sites it can be overwhelming. It’s also a larger city and one of those places best enjoyed when you have a handful of places you know you can’t miss. Among those to me are:

  • The Trevi Fountain, day or night. It’s just pretty. The crowds are insane but the sculpture is incredible. There’s a shop nearby that will make you custom sandwiches that will be the best thing you’ve ever eaten too. It’s L' Antico Forno Di Fontana Di Trevi. So, so, so, good.

  • The Colosseum. It’s worth the crowds and expense to see. The scale alone is inspiring. It’s also in a great location to spend a day walking to see the Roman Forum and everything else along Via del Fori Imperiali. It’s just one Main Street with sites on either side all worth seeing. Very walkable. A tour with a local guide that will take you through the Colosseum (including the lowest floor where the gladiators prepped), to Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum is $160 per person. It’s a nice way to spend the day and following you’re in a great area to just walk around.

  • Vatican City. The art and architecture are gorgeous. It’s worth a visit.

You accommodation options in Munich

  • booked Two bedroom apartment $470

    Apartment on the third level, mountain views, has its own balcony, living room, dining room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, equipped kitchen, all utilities included, Wi-Fi, cable TV. Breakfast included and front office that is staffed 24/7

  • Double bed with private bathroom $395CAD

    Room with private bathroom, queen-size bed, hot water, cable TV, and breakfast included. Parking available. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Breakfast included and front office that is staffed 24/7

  • Two bedroom apartment fancy style $525

    Experience the gardens either from the veranda, from the terrace dining room or while enjoying a meal at the teak table. Located in the heart of Panajachel, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, this 2.5 bathroom, 2 bedroom residence impresses with its charming character.

    The property is located in the center of Panajachel. The main shopping street "Calle Santander" and the pier, from which various ferries depart around the lake, are just a few minutes' walk away.

11 Nights in Antigua

  • Two bedroom apartment $991CAD

    This cozy two bedroom apartment is centrally located in the heart of the Antigua just a few steps from the Santa Catalina Arch and 3 blocks from central square. It is equipped with all the amenities you will need to make your stay comfortable while you enjoy your time in the city. This property with colonial architecture, corridors, patio and terrace that will immerse you in the colonial atmosphere of Antigua

  • Two bedroom apartment $1425CAD

    No need to spend the extra money for this one but I’m adding it as an option because it has a pool It is a charming and exclusive place located near the center of Antigua Guatemala. It is surrounded by nature and has ample natural light, as well as a shared social area with a pool and barbecue, perfect for relaxing. It also has a jacuzzi for an additional cost of Q300 (subject to availability).

    The house consists of two spaces on two levels connected by covered exterior stairs. On the first level there is a kitchen, a small living room and a secondary bedroom with a private bathroom, while on the second level there is a spacious main room with a TV and a master bedroom with a private bathroom.

  • booked Two bedroom apartment $1028

    My favorite! It has a heated pool, jacuzzi, 2 bedrooms, full kitchen, living room, safe parking, hammocks, close to town, and has staff who manage the apartments on site in case we need something or have questions. They have safe water for drinking available They offer Spanish course that I would fail too.

2 nights in Guatemala City near the airport

  • Private room w/ bathroom $133CAD per night

    Breakfast included as well as a shuttle to and from the airport. This is the nicest, and most expensive, option i’ll recommend. It has a pool so you could swim waiting for your flight. Also, a gym, pool tables, restaurant, bar, etc

  • Two bedroom apartment $62CAD per night

    $14CAD for airport transfer, $10 for breakfast. Right next to the airport so some people walk. Not sure how safe that is though. This double room includes a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a private bathroom. Good reviews but little to do to kill time waiting for a flight. Maybe we stay here the night you arrive since you get in late and we leave in the morning. The night before you leave it would be better to stay somewhere more comfortable to spend time.

  • Cute room with private bathroom $82 per night

    Great middle ground between the two other options. Breakfast included, private room and bathroom. Right next to the airport but Uber when you arrive at night. Safe to walk to the airport in the morning/afternoon though. This is true for all of Guatemala City by the way.